A/HRC/9/3 page 4 sexual violence, abductions, attacks against schools and hospitals and the denial of humanitarian access to children, in accordance with Council resolution 7/29. The Special Representative calls on the Council and the wider human rights community to continue to make systematic use of information from the monitoring and reporting mechanism, as established by Security Council resolution 1612 (2005), for advocacy and in their activities. II. ISSUES OF CONCERN AFFECTING CHILDREN IN SITUATIONS OF ARMED CONFLICT 6. The Special Representative reiterates the recommendation by the Secretary-General in his latest annual report on children and armed conflict (S/2007/757), namely that equal weight should be given to all categories of grave violations against children. It is also necessary to recognize that the range of violations and abuses committed against children in armed conflict goes beyond the six categories of violations being considered in the framework of the Security Council.1 7. In recent years, new developments in the field of children and armed conflict have given rise to several issues of concern. The changing nature of conflicts, the recruitment of children across borders, forced displacement, an increase in sexual violence and a greater number of children being held in detention have created new dilemmas for the protection of children. The Special Representative strongly urges security forces and armed groups to bring their behaviour into line with international humanitarian law during the conduct of hostilities, and encourages Member States to take all necessary measures, as a matter of priority, to mitigate the impact of conflict on children that inhibits their full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms. 8. The blurring of the traditional line between armed conflict and criminal violence, often involving transnational crime, non-traditional warfare and trafficking, is being witnessed in several situations. In Haiti, although most groups are currently essentially criminal in nature, their character and motivations may shift between criminal and political, depending on the specific time and circumstances. These armed groups, however, are involved in the recruitment and use of children and in abductions, and are perpetrating rape and other sexual violence against girls and women extensively. Colombia has seen the emergence of several illegal armed groups over the past year. These groups, largely involved in criminal activities relating especially to drug trafficking, are considered criminal gangs by the Government of Colombia. There are increasing concerns about reported violations and abuses committed against children by these groups, including for recruitment and use in armed combat. 9. Terrorism and counter-terrorism measures pose their own special problems for the protection of children. Suicide bombing, an unacceptable tactic used by some parties to conflict, sometimes sees child victims at both ends; children are used as suicide bombers in certain 1 In its resolution 1612 (2005), the Security Council defined the six grave violations as the recruitment and use of children; the killing and maiming of children; rape and other sexual violence; abductions of children; attacks against schools or hospitals; and the denial of humanitarian access to children.